Trashman’s Fantasy Fallout Going Into Week 13

Here’s the skinny on what’s good going into our last week before the Playoffs. It’s now or never so pay attention!

Bears vs Eagles: 3 – 31

Dontrelle Inman is working as the Bears’ top WR, which isn’t saying much, but he’s usable in PPR formats due to his high floor – he’s averaging 4 catches for 65 yards a game since coming in.

We thought Jordan Howard was becoming matchup proof thanks to high volume. He’s obviously not, based on his 19 yard performance in week 12. Don’t be afraid to run him out there against the 49ers this week though – if there’s a team to get right against, it’s them.

The Eagles went big back heavy in this one, pounding the rock with LaGarrette Blount 15 times while Jay Ajayi and Corey Clement only had 9 carries between the two of them. It’s become a situation to avoid, as Blount has a solid floor but little upside, Ajayi is all upside and Clement is TD dependent. One would have to imagine the Eagles will implement their smaller backs against Seattle this week though.

Nelson Agholor hadn’t gotten more than 36 yards in 3 weeks prior to Sunday, so it’s hard to trust his big game. Though as the slot guy, he does make for an intriguing play against Seattle this week.

Bills vs Chiefs: 16 – 10

Zay Jones was obviously Tyrod Taylor‘s favorite target Sunday with 10 looks on the day – Charles Clay and LeSean McCoy each had 4, the next highest mark. Jones has come on in recent weeks, and the team seems set on getting him the ball. He’s flex-worthy as long as Kelvin Benjamin is out, which could be at least another game as he’s been diagnosed with a torn meniscus.

With Alex Smith being wrangled in by the Bills secondary, Kareem Hunt faced stacked fronts and couldn’t get anything going on the ground… again – The rookie wall is real folks. He does get enough action in the passing game to feel ok about using him this week, but you have to be concerned moving into the playoffs.

WR Albert Wilson had 7 targets in his first game back from a hamstring injury and scored a TD – KC’s only one. He’s actually had some decent games in PPR formats this season, but it’s almost impossible to endorse him in the playoffs.

Browns vs Bengals: 16 – 30

Corey Coleman had another solid day in PPR formats with 3 receptions on 8 targets for 64 yards, But x-factor Josh Gordon is returning from suspension this week, muddying the situation. It’s yet to be seen if Gordon can still perform at a high level or if he has anything resembling a rapport with Deshone Kizer, so I’m still playing Coleman until I’m given a reason not to. The extra attention to Gordon might actually open things up for him.

Don’t look now but Isaiah Crowell has had 90+ yards or a TD in 3 of his last 4 games. He faces a surging Chargers squad this week, but he’s still worth starting, especially now that the Browns have threats in the passing game.

Joe Mixon finally had the game that Alex has been hoping for, racking up 165 all-purpose yards and a TD against a formidable Browns front. He did it in style too with a 5 YPC average on the day, something he’s been criticized about for some time now. He’ll face a Steelers team this week that just got eaten up by Jamaal Williams, another back who has struggled to gain yards in his previous games.

Buccaneers vs Falcons: 20 – 34

Doug Martin suffered a concussion on Sunday, leaving Jacquizz Rodgers and Peyton Barber to split carries. Neither player did anything of note, but Rodgers seems to be the 1A to Barber’s 1B. We’ll keep you posted on Martin throughout the week.

Jameis Winston is close to returning and could make his first appearance, since leaving in week 9 with a shoulder injury, this week against the Packers in what would be a cherry matchup. Dak Prescott owners rejoice.

Julio Jones had twice as many TDs on Sunday as he’s had all season up to now – 2. He’s had a down year in TDs, even for him, but his yardage is what keeps him at the top of fantasy drafts every year. This week he’ll face the Vikings’ Xavier Rhodes, who just got toasted by Marvin Jones Jr. for 109 yards on Thanksgiving.

Tevin Coleman had his best game of the year on Sunday(97 yards and 2 TDs), but Devonta Freeman is likely to return this week and take back lead duties. Neither one was more than a low ceiling RB2 before Freeman’s injury, and I fear it will go back to being that way against the Vikings.

Dolphins vs Patriots: 17- 35

Damien Williams injured his shoulder/pec on Sunday against the Patriots and could be looking at a multi-week absence. Kenyan Drake would become an upside RB2 if that’s the case.

Matt Moore hasn’t been the upgrade from Jay Cutler that many were hoping for, and I wouldn’t be surprised if the Dolphins go back to Jay if he’s good to go this week. It would be an upgrade for DeVante Parker and a downgrade for Kenny Stills. Landry stays the same.

The Patriots backfield is operating with the most clarity we’ve seen in a long time, with Dion Lewis and Rex Burkhead taking the majority of snaps. James White is droppable in all but the deepest PPR formats.

Panthers vs Jets: 35 – 27

With all those points on the board, you would’ve thought the Panthers offense had done more – Special teams and a fumble recovery accounted for 2 of the TDs. It was the Devin Funchess and Christian McCaffrey show for most of the day, after Greg Olsen injured his foot again. Olsen’s x-rays came back negative, so there’s a chance he suits up this week – I would have other plans on the ready though.

That’s not entirely true – Jonathan Stewart had 15 carries, so he was involved too, but he could only manage 26 yards – A TD saved his day. It’s a head scratcher after he managed 110 yards on Miami just the week before. He’ll be TD dependent this week against the Saints too.

The Jets RBs formed a 3-headed, mini-monster on Sunday, and nobody came out on top. If this sort of timeshare remains going forward, I can’t recommend any Jets back for the foreseeable future.

Robby Anderson is tied for 3rd in the league in TD grabs(7) and showing no signs of falling off. His targets are actually trending up too. He’s a must-start at home against KC this week.

Jermaine Kearse‘s targets are trending upwards too, but he’s been largely TD dependent this season – He’s only had 2, 65+ yard games. He’ll be a low floor flex play this week.

Titans vs Colts: 20 – 16

Derrick Henry out-gained DeMarco Murray 79 to 9 on one fewer touch Sunday, but he’s still the backup in Tennessee. I don’t know, maybe this game opened some eyes on the coaching staff, but I doubt it. Both will be low upside plays against the Ravens this week.

Rishard Matthews doesn’t seem close to seeing the field, so it could be another day of Delanie Walker dominance this week. Corey Davis just doesn’t seem to be a priority for Tennessee right now – This comes as no surprise with how they approach Henry.

Frank Gore continues to defy time, coming out with a respectable 79 yard, 1 TD game on Sunday. He seems to have retaken his job back from marlon Mack, who only had 6 touches in the contest.

T.Y. Hilton is the definition of feast or famine this season, either he gets 150+ yards or he goes for less than 60 – There’s literally been no in-between. Chalk him up for the later against Jacksonville this week.

Jack Doyle had another great game this week and may be the only thing the Colts can get going this week against the Jags. Keep him in your lineups.

Seahawks vs 49ers: 24 – 13

The Seahawks keep trying to fit a fat, square peg into a round hole by giving the ball to an uneffective Eddie Lacy, even though J.D. McKissic is obviously their best back. Lacy will likely get 15+ carries and sub 50 yards this week against Philly.

Paul Richardson was Seattle’s best WR Sunday and could continue that trend this week against Philly, who does a good job of containing slot receivers like Doug Baldwin.

C.J. Beathard was forced from the field with an injury late in the game on Sunday, allowing Jimmy Garoppolo to step right in and lead a last-minute TD drive. It would make sense for the 49ers to see what they have in Jimmy and give him the start this week.

If Garoppolo does get the start, Marquise Goodwin and his big-play potential would be worth a long look against the Bears this week.

Broncos vs Raiders: 14 – 21

The Broncos are obviously better with Trevor Siemian under center, but it doesn’t even matter because Paxton Lynch is out 2 – 4 weeks with a high-ankle sprain. Siemian gets a beatable Dolphins secondary this week.

No Broncos runner got anything going with Paxton Lynch under center for much of the day, but Devontae Booker did lead in carries and touches. He needs to be flexed against Miami this week.

Imagine that, the Raiders gave Marshawn Lynch 20+ carries, and they won the game. Hopefully, Jack Del Rio gets the message through his thick head and keeps feeding the beast against the Giants this week.

Dede Westbrook led all Jags in targets with 10 on Sunday. He only managed 41 yards, but the 18 targets over the last 2 games bodes well for his chances against a weak Colts secondary that just lost their best corner for the season.

Maybe the 7th season is the charm. Blaine Gabbert has resembled an actual NFL QB in his two starts this season, throwing 2 TDs to 1 INT against the Jags on Sunday. He has another tough start against the Rams this week, but at least he brings some life to Cardinals receivers.

Ricky Seals-Jones sounds like a better NASCAR driver than NFL player, but the UDFA is turning heads with his play, bringing even more validity to our sacred Second-Team doctrine in which backup receivers tend to get more play from once-backup QBs. He’s worth a flex this week. You can check out some pretty impressive pro day video of Seals-Jones in our maniacal Pro Day Raw Footage Archives for PRO members.

Saints vs Rams: 20 – 26

It only makes sense that Mark Ingram would have his worst game of the season when teams needed him most. He fizzled badly against the Rams, but you have to keep using him this week when he faces the Panthers. He’s still an RB1.

Alvin Kamara is putting forth a ROY campaign right now with his absurd amount of yardage on limited touches. He’s the Saints strongest play this week against a stout Panthers defense.

Ted Ginn led the Saints in targets this week(11) and gets a revenge game against Carolina this week. Why not flex him?

Everybody got some in the Rams WR corps on Sunday, including my personal favorite Josh Reynolds, who I loved at the Senior Bowl. With Sammy Watkins likely to face Patrick Peterson this week, both Reynolds and Cooper Kupp have plus matchups this week.

Packers vs Steelers: 28 – 31

Jamaal Williams was able to plod himself to 66 yards on 21 carries Sunday night, and helped himself even more in the passing game. If Aaron Jones and Ty Montgomery sit again this week, Williams is worth the start on volume alone against Tampa Bay.

Martavis Bryant showed shades of himself Sunday night with 40 yds and a TD on 6 targets – thanks to no JuJu Smith-Schuster. JuJu is questionable again this week, so Bryant would be startable against Cincinnati.

Eli Rogers actually had more targets than Bryant(7), but isn’t the explosive player that either Bryant or JuJu is. He’s not a play outside of PPR leagues is JuJu sit.

Thanksgiving Hits

Dak Prescott is playing bad football and he’s further hamstrung by Dallas’ bewildering lack of aggression on offense. I’m not playing him on Thursday if I have other good options.

Just when you thought he was out, they pull him back in. Orleans Darkwa ceded 9 touches to Wayne Gallman on Thanksgiving in an almost even timeshare – Gallman actually out-snapped him. Back to the drawing board for these two.

Samaje Perine is still unowned in over 20% of leagues, which is crazy considering he has back to back 100+ yards games and Chris Thompson is gone for the season.

I consider the Vernon Davis goose egg an anomaly. I’d still play him this Thursday.

Golden Tate had his second straight dud on Thanksgiving and gets a stingy Ravens defense this week. He’s not a must start this week. Marvin Jones is, with his red-zone prowess that can mitigate a low yardage day.

Hey hi guys great stuff riding the PATS DST would u play them vs steelers or stream other dst for week 15 i know its early but the early bird ate the worm DST available R Red skins,Bears,Taitans,Dallas, Packers ,Saints,Bills n Denver need 1 pls Help

Gotta look at the match ups. I dont think the pats have a favorable one vs Pitt. Might want to grab a def that does. Target the teams playing their backups or game scripts that will force a team to throw a lot.

I have Stafford/Dalton as my QB….C. Keenum is available. Do I drop one of those two, pick up and start Keenum? Also I have Fuller and S. Roberts and Lafell are available. Do I drop Fuller and pick up one of those 2 to play this week (I have Crabtree).

TRASHMAN, BYRON, ALEX
12 Team Standard
I am in the semi finals of playoffs this week…. 2 week format.
I have Russell Wilson and Doug Baldwin….also have the eagles D. Would it be counterproductive to start both since they are playing each other? I can pick up Titans D vs Houston, Bears D vs 49ers, Lions D vs Baltimore, or Dolphins D vs Denver.

Defenses can still have good days and give up fantasy points to opposing players. Gotta role the defense that will get you sacks and possibly force a turnover or two. I like the Lions this week as a sneaky play vs a pretty bad Baltimore offense.

Rodgers should not be a stash at this point. Maybe if he starts practicing and trending towards playing. I would consider Keenum and Tyrod for smith. I know Tyrod has a favorable schedule. You will want to check out Keenum’s and take the guy with a better schedule.

You guys have Kirk ranked way ahead of Josh McCown. Would that change much if Sean Lee plays? I have Robby Anderson starting this week. Do I double dip with McCown? or just ride Capt. Kirk? As a Skin’s fan I’m not feeling the Kirk matchup at Dallas. Standard league, 1pt/25yds passing, 1pt/10 running yds , 6pts TD

I have Stafford/Dalton as my QB….C. Keenum is available. Do I drop one of those two, pick up and start Keenum for this week? Also I have Fuller and S. Roberts and Lafell are available. Do I drop Fuller and pick up one of those 2 to play this week (I have Crabtree).

Do you see the Cowboys and Redskins scoring a lot of pts this week? I’m worried about Dezs floor/ceiling.. I’m thinking about benching him for either Paul Richardson, Goodwin (if Grap plays), D Westbrook, C Patterson, z jones, or Reynolds

i see it falling in the middle of the pack. i’m fine with any of those moves really. Dez is anything but solid these days. i’d wait until later in the week to make a choice as there are injuries we have to wait on. p rich seems promising though

coleman, kupp, and gordon are candidates, though any of your currents wrs could produce more potentially, they’re just injured or slumping. i stick with croft for the time being. i’d hold both qbs. drake should be owned if you can play him this week as it looks like williams will miss this week. i might drop one of your qbs for him